Aberdeen & the Scenic Cairngorms

We follow in the footsteps of William and Kate, Prince and Princess of Wales in the pretty town of St Andrews, where the young royals met at university. As well as being a world-class golfing spot, there are plenty of other highlights, from stunning beaches and fascinating museums to a crumbling castle and an ancient cathedral, offering a glimpse into the town’s medieval past. With its traditional Scottish architecture and charming streets lined with quaint shops and cafés, it really is a delight to explore.

Aberdeen & the Scenic Cairngorms

We follow in the footsteps of William and Kate, Prince and Princess of Wales in the pretty town of St Andrews, where the young royals met at university. As well as being a world-class golfing spot, there are plenty of other highlights, from stunning beaches and fascinating museums to a crumbling castle and an ancient cathedral, offering a glimpse into the town’s medieval past. With its traditional Scottish architecture and charming streets lined with quaint shops and cafés, it really is a delight to explore.

Aberdeen & the Scenic Cairngorms

Sit back and soak up the beautiful scenery of the Cairngorms National Park in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. We pass Ballater and Balmoral, enjoying a photo stop at Crathie Church along the way, the Royal Family’s local church when staying at Balmoral and where Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone in 1893. Our day out also includes time in Braemar. This delightful village is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, beautiful glens and pine forests, while the centre features an array of boutique shops, medieval ruins and castles. We return to the hotel via Strathdon and Huntly.

Aberdeen & the Scenic Cairngorms

Following a leisurely breakfast, spend time in Aberdeen. This thriving seaport boasts sparkling granite buildings and monuments, making it one of the most architecturally distinctive cities in Europe. There’s much to explore, from the cobbled streets and 15th-century cathedral of Old Aberdeen to the quirky fishing quarter of Footdee by the water’s edge. Watch for dolphins leaping at the harbour mouth and listen to the warm tones of the local Scots dialect called ‘Doric.’ You can also go on a shopping spree along Union Street, which is one mile long and dotted with many shops.

Aberdeen & the Scenic Cairngorms

Combining sandy bays, rugged cliffs, quaint seaside towns and historic fishing villages, Scotland’s Banffshire Coast is wonderfully unspoilt and we discover two of its highlights. First is the county town of Banff, popular with Robert Burns and Lord Byron, where the sights range from the former royal Banff Castle and the bustling harbour  to the intriguing treasures in Banff Museum. We continue to the fishing port of Fraserburgh, which offers a wide range of shops and plenty of delicious local produce. Or for a piece of Scottish heaven, take a stroll along Fraserburgh Beach, which holds a Green Coast Award and a Marine Conservation Society Recommendation.

Aberdeen & the Scenic Cairngorms

We enjoy an en route visit to the beautiful city of Perth, located on the banks of the River Tay and often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. Scotland’s ancient capital for five centuries, Perth is now a compact and cosmopolitan city offering sprawling parks, elegant Georgian townhouses, cobbled streets, outstanding monuments, art galleries, museums, independent shops and award-winning eateries.

Journey through the heart of Cairngorms National Park along Royal Deeside, tracing the River Dee past Ballater and the Balmoral Estate. Pause for a photo stop at Crathie Church, the royal family’s parish kirk, before time to wander the granite streets and boutiques of the village of Braemar amid soaring hills and Caledonian pine.

Absorb the Highland atmosphere where Queen Victoria laid Crathie’s foundation stone in 1893 and where Braemar’s Highland Games still echo with pipes and drums. The return via Strathdon and Huntly showcases open glens, heathered slopes, and clear mountain air that defines Scotland’s interior.

Explore the cobbled lanes of Scotland’s beloved university town to admire the cliff-top remains of St Andrews Castle and the vast ruins of St Andrews Cathedral. Stroll between historic quadrangles of the University of St Andrews and breathe the North Sea air along the sands of West Sands Beach.

Uncover layers of heritage from a medieval religious center to a scholarly hub founded in 1413. The town’s graceful wynds, stone terraces, and sea-facing promenades frame stories of learning, pilgrimage, and romance linked to the modern royal courtship of William and Kate.

Discover the Banffshire Coast, where sandy bays meet heritage harbors. In Banff, browse the collections of the historic Banff Museum, admire the exterior of former royal Banff Castle, and watch boats sway in the sheltered marina before tracing the shoreline to Fraserburgh’s working port and dunes.

Feel the bracing sea breeze on Fraserburgh Beach—recognized for its natural quality—and glimpse the skyline silhouette of Kinnaird Head Lighthouse. Fishing traditions, local dialects, and fresh coastal produce color this unspoilt stretch of the Moray Firth.

Visit Perth, elegantly set on the River Tay and long celebrated as Scotland’s ancient capital. Meander past elegant Georgian townhouses, riverside parklands, and shop-lined streets, pausing at the steeple of St John’s Kirk—a landmark of the medieval burgh.

Perth’s compact center blends civic grandeur with green spaces and galleries, while echoes of royal pageantry linger from the nearby coronation site at Scone. Cafés, museums, and leafy esplanades create an easy rhythm between history and contemporary Scottish life.

Opt to explore Balmoral Castle, the private Highland retreat of Britain’s monarchs since the 19th century. Wander the castle grounds and gardens, view curated displays in the ballroom, and appreciate the Deeside setting that has charmed generations of royals.

This visit is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to seasonal opening and estate operations. Stepping into a living royal residence offers rare insight into Victorian tastes, royal family life, and the landscape that defined Queen Victoria’s love of the Highlands.

Enhance your Fraserburgh time with entry to the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses and its crown jewel, Kinnaird Head Lighthouse. Explore gleaming Fresnel lenses, maritime artifacts, and, when accessible, climb to take in sweeping North Sea panoramas from this remarkable light.

This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to opening hours and weather. It’s a vivid encounter with coastal engineering and the human stories that safeguarded ships along Scotland’s rugged shores from sail to steam.